Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM vs Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

RF 600mm F11 IS STM compared with RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM
CanonRF 600mm F11 IS STMCanonRF 800mm F5.6L IS USM
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2020May 2022
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length600 mm800 mm
Maximum aperturef/11f/5.6
Minimum aperturef/11f/64
Optical constructionTen elements in seven groupsTwenty-six elements in eighteen groups
Special elementsGapless dual-layer diffractive optical elementTwo fluorite elements, one Super UD and one UD element
Coatings–Super Spectra and ASC; fluorine coating on the front element
Aperture detailFixed f/11 aperture; cannot be stopped downMaximum f/5.6; minimum f/64
DiaphragmNo aperture bladesNine circular blades
Angle of view–Full-frame diagonal 3°05′; horizontal 2°35′; vertical 1°40′
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R camerasCanon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras
Teleconverter supportCompatible with RF extenders; 840 mm at f/16 with RF 1.4× or 1200 mm at f/22 with RF 2× (Cameralabs and Dustin Abbott). Autofocus performance depends on camera and light levelsRF 1.4× gives 1120 mm f/8 with 0.49× magnification; RF 2× gives 1600 mm f/11 with 0.71×; AF and IS operate with either extender
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance4.5 m2.6 m
Maximum magnification0.14×0.34×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailLead-screw STM autofocus; Canon Camera Museum states a focus area of 40% horizontal × 60% vertical for the original supported EOS R bodiesRing-type USM; electronic full-time manual focus requires compatible body settings; original EOS R, RP and Ra are unsupported, and R5/R6 require firmware 1.3.0 or later
Focus distance detailMinimum focus 4.5 m; full-range or 12 m–infinity focus limiter (Cameralabs and Dustin Abbott)2.6 m minimum focus; full range, 2.6–20 m and 20 m–infinity limiter settings; three manual-focus speeds and two stored focus presets
Magnification detailMaximum 0.14×0.34× maximum magnification; approximately 206 × 138 mm subject fills a full-frame image at minimum focus
Stabilisation detailUp to five stops optical stabilisation under CIPA testing with EOS RCanon UK and Japan rate optical IS at 4.5 stops with EOS R, R5 or R3 under CIPA yaw/pitch conditions; modes 1, 2 and 3
Video features–Aperture control in 1/8-stop increments; power-focus mode with two speeds selected by playback-ring rotation
Design
Dust and moisture resistantNoYes
Filter diameter82 mm52 mm
Maximum diameter93 mm163 mm
Length199.5 mm432 mm
Weight930 g (better)3,140 g
ControlsSeparate manual focus and customisable control rings; focus limiter, AF/MF and stabiliser switchesFocus and playback rings, AF/PF/MF selector, focus-speed and preset switches, and four lens-function buttons
Filter detail–52 mm drop-in screw-type holder 52 (WIII), supplied with a clear Protect filter; compatible with optional drop-in polariser and gelatin holder
Zoom designPrime lens with a retracting storage barrel; extend and lock the barrel before shooting–
Weather resistanceNo dust or moisture sealing, including no rubber mount seal (Cameralabs)Dust- and moisture-resistant construction with heat-reflective paint
Dimensions detail93 mm maximum diameter; 199.5 mm retracted length or 269.5 mm when extended for shooting163 mm maximum diameter × 432 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 930 g lensApproximately 3,140 g lens
Tripod mountBuilt-in tripod mounting thread; no rotating collar (Cameralabs)Supplied tripod collar and support foot
Lens hoodET-88B hood sold separately (Dustin Abbott)ET-155 (WIII) included; shorter ET-155B optional
In the boxLens, E-82II cap, RF dust cap and user manual kitLens, drop-in screw-type filter holder 52 (WIII) with 52 mm Protect filter, E-180E cap, RF dust cap, ET-155 (WIII) hood, LS600 soft case, Lens Wide Strap B and user manual
Release detailJuly 2020 marketed month in Canon Camera MuseumFirst sale in Japan on 26 May 2022, stated by Canon Japan support; the original announcement promised late May

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